Thinking about importing a Deskinio Urban from the UK!

[Moonshine]

https://electricbikereview.com/desiknio/single-speed-urban/

$4500 for a single speed bike seems Crazy in my mind but then again, I ignore my mind routinely.

I was wondering if it's possible to get a conversation going about the commuter worthiness of such a bike. The idea of an extremely lightweight bike makes a lot of sense when it comes to exploring the city. You could easily put it in and out of buses/trains with ease! I don't see it needing a lot of maintenance. If you are not dealing with a lot of steep hills, would a single speed bike be okay? The company does offer pinion gearbox version but that's like $2500 more. Needs yearly maintenance. Why do these bikes cost so much?

Are there bikes similar to this other than the Faraday in the U.S? (I hate the Faraday look. Maybe hate is a strong word. How about Strong sense of nausea?)






Ebike Acquisition Syndrome.

 

[Nova Haibike]

It costs a lot because it is a small company making them in small numbers. If you look at handmade bicycle frames, they are not cheap; a handmade frame from a top builder can cost thousands. I criticized the Coboc ONE Soho that was just reviewed by Court as being an overpriced hipster bike, but this one, even though still ridiculously expensive (and still a hipster product LOL), looks to be more worth the money, at least if you're into custom bicycles.

I work at a bicycle co-op in the suburbs of Washington D.C. Many people here use single speed bikes here because they are lighter and simpler. Of course they are nowhere near what these bikes are. A lot of theses urban commuter bikes are cheap and rough looking...often made from used parts...so they don't attract thieves.

 

[Solom01]

Go for it. I use a much cheaper singlespeed (the SS-Glide) and love it much more than I do my more expensive eBike. You've hit a bunch of very valid points. A single speed has almost no maintenance, is lighter and so forth but for me the most important fact is what a joy it is to ride - no messing around with gears, not worrying about chains breaking, and how responsive and immediate it is. If I had the money for the Deskinio I'd buy it in a heartbeat simply for the beauty of it. Sometimes simplicity is the best thing there is.

 

[Over50]

...$4500 for a single speed bike seems Crazy in my mind but then again, I ignore my mind routinely....I was wondering if it's possible to get a conversation going about the commuter worthiness of such a bike. The idea of an extremely lightweight bike makes a lot of sense when it comes to exploring the city. You could easily put it in and out of buses/trains with ease! I don't see it needing a lot of maintenance. If you are not dealing with a lot of steep hills, would a single speed bike be okay? The company does offer pinion gearbox version but that's like $2500 more. Needs yearly maintenance. Why do these bikes cost so much? ... Are there bikes similar to this other than the Faraday in the U.S? (I hate the Faraday look. Maybe hate is a strong word. How about Strong sense of nausea?)
Ebike Acquisition Syndrome.

I like the looks of the bike and I'd probably prefer the pinion version myself. I'm too old to be a hipster but I guess I have some hipster tendencies.

But if you're willing to spend that kind of money for a single speed you might look into the Budnitz Model E. I think you can get into the steel frame version for about the same money. Perhaps it would be less risky to buy from a US company that has been in business for awhile (although not making ebikes) vs a Spanish startup. Budnitz also advertises a trial period and a pretty solid warranty. I guess it also comes down to the motor and battery technologies which are quite different between the bikes (and on which I am not qualified to opine). Unfortunately there have been no reviews of the Model E that I've been able to find which to me is a bit of a red flag.

As for merits of that type of bike: I posted when the Model E was announced that to me, a single speed shorter range commuter style bike was appealing. I'd have strongly considered buying that bike if there had been any practical way to test it out first (a trip to Vermont wasn't really practical). I think in a few years there will be quite a few more bikes like these on the market.

 

[Nova Haibike]

if you're willing to spend that kind of money for a single speed you might look into the Budnitz Model E.

According to the Budnitz site, they are already sold out of the Model E.

 

[Over50]

According to the Budnitz site, they are already sold out of the Model E.

Yes, they've had that posted for awhile. I was assuming another production run was forthcoming. I check their Facebook page from time to time as they seem to be better about posting info there.

 

[Ravi Kempaiah]

Ebike Acquisition Syndrome

This is good and bad in a way.
You don't want to get into impulse purchase mode.

The tech is changing so rapidly and after 3 years, if this company isn't around then you just have a heavy road bike. The battery has to replaceable for various reasons.

With E-assist, weight isn't a problem unless it crosses 60lbs then carrying up the stairs can be difficult.

I would never touch a bike from a company I have not heard off.

 

[Nova Haibike]

The tech is changing so rapidly and after 3 years, if this company isn't around then you just have a heavy road bike. The battery has to replaceable for various reasons.

Remove the battery and install a normal wheel and viola! Light road bike. Any other e-bike kit could be installed too. It would not look elegant, but it could still be an e-bike.

 

[Moonshine]

Go for it. I use a much cheaper singlespeed (the SS-Glide) and love it much more than I do my more expensive eBike. You've hit a bunch of very valid points. A single speed has almost no maintenance, is lighter and so forth but for me the most important fact is what a joy it is to ride - no messing around with gears, not worrying about chains breaking, and how responsive and immediate it is. If I had the money for the Deskinio I'd buy it in a heartbeat simply for the beauty of it. Sometimes simplicity is the best thing there is.

You expressed my feelings perfectly! No gears, no maintenance, take it off the bus rack and go explore the city and nobody would give you a second look! I really like this idea

I like the looks of the bike and I'd probably prefer the pinion version myself. I'm too old to be a hipster but I guess I have some hipster tendencies.

What makes these bikes "hipster bikes"? I'm trying to understand.

This is good and bad in a way.
You don't want to get into impulse purchase mode.

The tech is changing so rapidly and after 3 years, if this company isn't around then you just have a heavy road bike. The battery has to replaceable for various reasons.

With E-assist, weight isn't a problem unless it crosses 60lbs then carrying up the stairs can be difficult.

I would never touch a bike from a company I have not heard off.

You speak the truth but as time goes by, I have realized life is for the living. You can't make choices based out of Fear. I used to be a computer enthusiast and every 6 months or less, technology was getting obsolete and the new tech was on the horizon, if you wait, you would be always waiting! Sometimes you just got to enjoy things! And if the company went dead after 3 years as you say, I would have paid $125 per month for this bike! and that's not too bad! but I do hear your concerns and they are valid. It really is TOO expensive for the components you are getting! I would much rather spend much less on a similar bike but there aren't any similar bikes

I'm working with Fullcharged right now about importing one of these! It's in the works! We will see how it goes!

 

[Over50]

Desiknio pinion makes a Eurobike 2018 appearance: